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LAST UPDATE | 30 Aug 2021
THE PENTAGON HAS warned of a “real” and “specific” threat of new attacks at Kabul airport, just hours ahead of a US deadline to complete its frenzied withdrawal from Afghanistan that has been marred by Islamic State violence.
President Joe Biden has set a deadline of tomorrow to withdraw all US forces from Afghanistan, drawing to a close his nation’s longest war, which began in retaliation for the 11 September attacks.
The return of the hardline Islamist Taliban movement, which was toppled in 2001 but took back power a fortnight ago, triggered a massive exodus of terrified people aboard US-led evacuation flights.
Those flights, which have taken more than 122,000 people out of Kabul airport, will officially end tomorrow when the last of the thousands of American troops pull out.
US forces are now focused chiefly on flying themselves and American diplomats out safely.
The regional Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) group, rivals of the Taliban, pose the biggest threat to the withdrawal, after carrying out a suicide bombing outside the airport late last week that claimed more than 100 lives, including those of 13 US troops.
Today, they claimed to have fired six rockets at the airport. A Taliban official said the attack was intercepted by the airport’s missile defence systems.
Even as the US troop presence in Afghanistan drew to an end, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters that it was “a particularly dangerous time right now”.
“The threat stream is still real, it’s still active, and in many cases it’s still specific,” he said today.
‘We can’t sleep’
The White House confirmed there had been a rocket attack directed at the airport today, but said airlift operations there were “uninterrupted”.
“The President … has reconfirmed his order that commanders redouble their efforts to prioritise doing whatever is necessary to protect our forces on the ground,” a White House statement said.
An AFP photographer today took images of a destroyed car with a launcher system still visible in the back seat.
A Taliban official at the scene said he believed five rockets had been fired.
A suspected US drone strike had hit the car, about two kilometres from the airport.
While there were no reports of fatalities or airport damage from the rocket attacks, they caused greater anxiety for locals already traumatised by years of war.
“Since the Americans have taken control of the airport, we can’t sleep properly,” Abdullah, who lives near the airport and gave only one name, told AFP.
“It is either gun firing, rockets, sirens or sounds of huge planes that disturb us. And now that they are being directly targeted, it can put our lives in danger.”
An AFP journalist in Kabul said there was a constant sound of planes overhead, with aircraft taking off and landing, as well as jets offering surveillance and protection.
‘Potential loss of innocent life’
The United States earlier said an air strike last night had eliminated another threat from the Islamic State jihadists.
However, it may have also have killed civilians.
“We are aware of reports of civilian casualties following our strike on a vehicle in Kabul today,” Captain Bill Urban, a US Central Command spokesman, said in a statement.
“We would be deeply saddened by any potential loss of innocent life.”
In recent years, the Islamic State’s Afghanistan-Pakistan chapter has been responsible for some of the deadliest attacks in those countries.
They have massacred civilians at mosques, public squares, schools, and even hospitals.
While both IS and the Taliban are hardline Sunni Islamists, they are bitter foes – with each claiming to be the true flag-bearers of jihad.
Last week’s suicide bombing at the airport led to the worst single-day death toll for the US military in Afghanistan since 2011.
The IS threat has forced the US military and the Taliban to co-operate in ensuring security at the airport in a way unthinkable just weeks ago.
The Taliban have already started taking over areas vacated by US forces.
Taliban leader
The Taliban have promised a softer brand of rule compared with their first stint in power, which the US military ended because the group gave sanctuary to Al-Qaeda.
But many Afghans fear a repeat of the Taliban’s brutal interpretation of Islamic law, as well as violent retribution for working with foreign militaries, Western missions or the previous US-backed government.
Yesterday, the Taliban revealed their supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada was in southern Afghanistan and planning to make a public appearance.
“He is present in Kandahar,” said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, referring to the movement’s spiritual birthplace.
Every day thousands of innocent vegetables are murdered by vegetarians. Stop the murder, eat BACON
If God didn’t want us to eat animals then why did he make them out of meat?
You’ll find you’re made of meat too. Therefore….
He didn’t. They evolved :)
Bad statement there guru!! Humans are also made of meat!!!!!
For the love of God can a man not make a Simpsons quote around here anymore without being grilled!
That stupid Guru we are made of meat do we start eating each other.
Yes Von, bite me!
Arklow is cruel and frightening! ; P
I have no time for these animal rights “activists”… She achieved nothing except some abuse.. Lady, most of us love animals, won’t tolerate cruelty of any kind. I think those attending would know if these pigs were being mistreated.. Cop on to yourself
Pigs… Mmmmm….is there anything they can’t do?
how is this woman given airtime? she desperately craves attention, and her charity is based around a series of failed diets. the worst thing that happened was her name being mentioned by a councillor, because now it has given her recognition.
Yeah down with this sort of thing, Pigs have one purpose, bacon sandwiches.
Looks like you can add “cyberbullying” to any old story now. A rather flippant attitude to a serious concern.
Is she the pig whisperer or something?
Absolute skum these arklow people!!!! Making pigs run for their amusment!!! It’s abuse!!!! Next they’ll be making other animals race….. Who knows…. They would let children race if they had their way!!!!! Lowest form on earth!!!! If anything, this article highlights the plight of the pigs these days!!!!!!!
Amidst all the pain and suffering that goes on!!!! The struggle of an everyday man to make a wage to feed his family, the pig goes un noticed!!!!
For just €2 a month you can make sure that no pig races again! Call now, stop the suffering!!!!!
I’ll give you 2 euro Christopher, in the hope it will stop you abusing the humble exclamation mark.
Christopher…there is only one that’s suffering.
Me reading your sad comment.
But then again I am a person with a sunny disposition and had a good laugh at your elucidation.
Or donate a €2 pack of back rashers!!!!
for €2 I can also repair broken sarcasm detectors.
“You’re a hippie”
Haha!
The simplicity of modern philosophy.
Who won ?? had a sneaky fiver on a little beauty nicknamed rashers
This is so cruel.
I nearly choked on my bacon this morning when I read this. Absolutely shocking stuff.
Have these morons nothing better to do than tormenting pigs?
Tormenting? Really?
I’d pay to see Ms Fitzgerald & her supporters race instead…GWAN D PIGGIES…
spare a thought for rashers tierney !
Arklow people sure there great craic constantly communicate with each other. They have a range of different oinks, grunts and squeals which have distinct meanings. that’s why when a pig looks into the eyes of someone from Arklow they see a equal…………….. I’M ON THE PIGS SIDE ON THIS ONE
Ms. Fitz should get a job with Saatchi and Saatchi. Clever marketing ploy. She has done a wonderful job of promoting the Seabreeze event. I hear the pigs were squealing with delight. The event has been elevated to national importance. If the pigs do not object maybe next years event could have a donkey derby instead. The definitive biography of the winning pig will be launched at next years festival entitled “Pigs Tails Tales”, sure to be a best seller.
How can it be a race if they are being chased, is that not animal cruelty?
Michael Sands…
You are the epitome of a city slicker.
And sheep are chased every day of the week by dogs, where will this PC crap end? Next thing I suppose there’ll be a campaign to stop swatting flies.
Nope you are wrong there Antonov…
Yes but how can a race be a race if something is chased?
Far too much of this Animal Rights stuff interfering with sporting activities, I think? Next up they’ll be demanding crash helmets for racing pigeons!
‘You’re a fool. You’re a gobsh**e. You’re a pig yourself. The race is harmless. You’re a vegan. You’re a hippie.’ I would love to see this woman get “cyberbullied” properly so she understands what it actually is.
Sticks and stones…….
Pig Olympics….now that I’d pay to see
Why don’t they have 4 year olds walking on hot coals. Just like humans animals can feel and be frightened and i have always said if you can hurt an animal you can hurt a child.
Racing pigs learn bacon
Racing pigs lean bacon
squel like a pig boy
have your say